Review of In America (2003) by Manny C — 10 Mar 2011
An Irish family of four leave the homeland for Manhattan to heal wounds and live the American dream. Sounds terrible? Well, it's not. Instead, what In America is funny, engaging and impassioned, thanks largely to writer-director Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot, In The Name of The Father), whose own life experiences the film is based on. Sheridan even co-wrote the script with his two daughters, Naomi and Kirsten.
Paddy Considine is patriarch Johnny, a struggling actor hitting up one audition after another. Wife Sarah (Samantha Morton, a superb force of nature) cares for their two girls, Christy and Ariel, played by actual sisters Sarah Bolger and Emma Bolger, who steal the movie. The two befriend a troubled artist (Djimon Hounsou, excellent) and help their parents' cope with poverty, their father's gambling addiction and the death of the couple's infant son. Sure, there's some contrivance, but In America has genuine heart and soul and it gets to you. It's an emotional tour de force.
This review of In America (2003) was written by Manny C on 10 Mar 2011.
In America has generally received very positive reviews.
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